Sunday, 20 February 2011

Noticeboard chromatography

This is what winter does in Scotland. The damp seeps in everywhere, obliterating even this Ode pinned up inside the glass case of the site noticboard. It creates its own beauty, of course, but the Ode to (I presume) a Fox has been lost. Hopefully the poet will put up a fresh copy once the weather dries out.

Jacqui and Fay, you're lucky as islanders not to have foxes. I'd forgotten about the escaped mink. These non-native imports always do seem to escape, no matter what assurances are given. I'm not so keen on the plans to re-introduce bears and wolves and so on to the Highlands - I want to be able to go for a walk without being afraid that I'll be eaten.

You asked me about robins coming in spring. Robins fly south, I'm not sure how far, in late fall, and come back in late winter. They are considered a sign spring is on its way here. May 16 is our average last frost date.